Question
Watching the sunset on a beach, one can see the sun for several minutes after it has actually set. Explain.
Solution
The apparent delay in the setting of sun is due to the phenomenon of atmospheric refraction. The atmosphere bends sunlight towards the normal. This is the reason for the apparent position of the sun remaining above the horizon for some time even when, the sun has actually set, i.e., gone below the horizon. Hence, we experience a delayed sunset.
